Irving had initially argued that the police failed to properly investigate a March 2008 burglary of her Camden home. She alleged that her neighbor had entered her home to steal her financial identity by obtaining her computer compact discs; however, the police could not obtain enough evidence to target any suspects or even conclude if a burglary had occurred.

A lower court had sided with the police department on all counts, finding Irving’s legal theory of the case “disjointed and… difficult for the defendants and the court to keep track of her proposed prospects of attaching liability.” Irving had submitted both equal protection and civil rights conspiracy claims against the police, the town manager and the city itself.

Failing in the lower court, Irving tried to appeal the court’s decision to the First Circuit. The First Circuit, however, could not find fault with the judge’s decision, similar to how the lower court could not find fault with the Camden burglary investigation.

Upholding the lower court’s decision, the First Circuit held that “even with all reasonable inferences drawn in her favor, [Irving’s challenges] do not call the court’s judgment into question.”

Given both courts’ rulings, it looks like Linda Ann Irving will have to be satisfied with the results of the police’s Camden burglary investigation.

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U.S. First Circuit features news and information from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, which hears appeals from U.S. District Courts in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico and Rhode Island. This blog also features news that would be of interest to legal professionals practicing in the 1st Circuit. Have a comment or tip? Write to us.